Toward a more comfortable IWB

[picker77]

Tried several kinds of holster for my Shield, only one of which was truly comfortable and 100% concealed regardless of clothing or weather (Smart Carry, which I have been using almost daily). I really would like to use an IWB occasionally, but none of the IWB's I tried were very comfortable, because they all seem to be constructed on a flat table top to carry a flat semiauto--while strapped tightly to a curved hip! As a result of this apparent engineering dichotomy, most of them only flex in two places, namely in between the belt clips and the rigid molded Kydex on each side. The main center area is flat as a pancake against the wearer's hip bone, which leaves me feeling like I have a 10" chunk of 1x4 strapped crosswise to my hip under a belt. Ouch. For a while I didn't understand what "hot spot" meant in holster lingo, but I think it must mean that (flat, unbendable) middle area of leather under that (flat, unbendable) pistol held tightly against a rounded body part like a hip. I didn't like this, maybe because I'm getting old less tolerant of aches and pains, which I have enough of already, so I decided to try for a better mousetrap.

Here's maybe an idea some of you more expert holster-smiths might want to experiment with. I measured my hip's natural radius at about the 4 o'clock position (turns out in my case to be about 5" or so, I'm a fairly big guy). I built a simple form to that dimension, used the form to glue up two layers of leather under heavy clamping pressure (smooth sides out), to ensure the resulting laminated foundation would naturally hold its shape. I built the entire holster using that form, including hot molding the Kydex. The result was a VERY comfortable IWB that hugs my hip like it was custom made just for me (ha), with NO "hot spots" or discomfort areas at all. Sweet.

Doing this takes a little more time, I admit, and would probably either run up a holster-maker's prices or eat some of his bottom line. But OTOH I suspect they would sell like hotcakes. I know I'd have bought one instead of going to this much trouble if I'd seen any for sale. Maybe there's some huge reason nobody is doing this, but if so I surely don't see what it might be.

Cheers to all, and keep shooting S&W's, preferable not at people!

 

[Out West]

I have the same issue, but find that IWB holsters of the style above (without the radius molded into the leather) naturally take on the curve of my hip. It takes a while for it to happen and I think it contributes to a prolonged period of squeaking until it gets broken in.

Your idea sounds good to me and if it resulted in a shorter break in with less noise I'd be a buyer.

Out
West

 

[picker77]

Maybe you're right, could be I just didn't give the others a good enough try, Out West. Maybe they weren't "broken in" before I gave up on them. I'll admit I wanted something that felt broken in from the first time I put it on, which might be asking too much.

None of them can touch the Smart Carry for comfort and concealability, IMHO, but even that has a few drawbacks, like being a bit slower to get to (which doesn't bother me), and not that comfortable for long drives. But if I'm driving further than just around town, I just slip the pistol out and stick it in my truck's center console. So far the Smart Carry is the only holster rig I can wear out shopping and be totally relaxed. NO fear of printing or being the victim of a snatch attempt in a crowd. And with a lightweight 9mm like the Shield, I literally can sometimes forget it's there.

 

[sipowicz]

And here I spent $3000.00 to have a surgeon flatten my hip....doh!

 

[Hill_Country]

Nice work. Solves the problem of the rough side leather next to the skin, too. In hot weather, without a Tee shirt, that rough leather can be like sandpaper.

 

[MichiganScott]

And here I spent $3000.00 to have a surgeon flatten my hip....doh!

I've had both of mine flattened. The stainless steel joint makes IWB of any sort painful.

 

[MP22]

I like it...nice job.

 

[The Big D]

Less is more.

In three (3) plus decades of CCW I have learned "less is more" re: IWB holsters. I have seen rigs that defy common sense. They seem to have more material volume than the gun they hold.

A simple "C" or "J" hook holster worn strong side circa 3-4 will work for most people, Just give it and your body time to adjust.

Be safe.

PS: If you're inclined to pack a Desert Eagle I cannot help.

 

[Old TexMex]

I'm trying out the remora.

 

[snubbyfan]

Great idea, I'd like add that instead if a glued up laminate you can just wet the leather and clamp it in the form. Actually, you could probably just wet and drape it over the curved piece. Holster makers should take note. A curved back would give better initial comfort and a shorter break in period.

 

[picker77]

Great idea, I'd like add that instead if a glued up laminate you can just wet the leather and clamp it in the form. Actually, you could probably just wet and drape it over the curved piece. Holster makers should take note. A curved back would give better initial comfort and a shorter break in period.

Yep, that would work, too--however, it would leave the rough side on bare skin (assuming you wear t-shirts untucked in the summer like I do). Wet-formed leather unfinished on the rough side would easily absorb sweat in hot wx. But it's been my experience that finishing the rough side with most leather finishes turns it into 40-grit sandpaper. I did briefly entertain the idea of laminating some thin very soft pigskin liner to the rough inside of a single layer of 8-9 oz stock, but that really should be machine sewed to avoid edge peeling, and properly sewing leather is where most amateur leatherworkers like me hit a brick wall, because we don't have access to a high-dollar stitching machine.

Big D is probably correct in that most of this is overkill anyway. This has been a fun exercise, but I'm still doing 90% of my carrying in one of Charlie's excellent Smart Carrys, lol.

 

[cluznar]

I find all of these holsters comfortable:

Old Faithful
N82Tactical.com Pro holster
NM Holsters -  Products

use them all

 

[beemerrider]

I carry my Ed Brown Kobra Carry commander size 1911 in a "Rhome Desbiens Maker Custom Leather holster. I carry at the 4 o'clock behind my right hip. Very comfortable, as it is curved and has lots of supporting leather.
I also have a few Kramer Horsehide IWB's and a Milt Sparks Summer Special. All of them are fine; you just have to break them in and get used to their individual feel.

 

[Kenley]

I carry my 1911 in a WHITE HAT. I ordered the horse hide version and it took about a half day to conform. Since then, I have never even looked at anything else. You can buy the one horse hide backing and different holsters to change out with. You can also custom order logos for the holster.

 

[hotrod150]

I tried stiff holsters and found them uncomfortable. I carry my 2" Chief Specials A-IWB in a soft glove leather Ace Case holster. The down side is that it is cheap and flimsy, but the up side is that it is cheap and flimsy. Don't know about 4 oclock carry, but appendix works best with a soft minimalist holster IMHO.

 

[Lost Lake]

Beautiful holster Picker77!

I have formed a couple over my thigh, which has the same curve as my hip. The wood block idea is fab.

How did you form the Kydex? I would use a cut-out of my gun first, then once that holds the gun in place, I press foam over the gun for the retention.

Do you just use the foam in the curved to piece of the mold?

.

 

[Capt.Jim]

Well, could it be why nobody makes a holster with a custom curve like the one in the picture because the "position limitation" caused by the curve?

I mean if the holster custom curved and hardened where it would be comfortable to wear it at 4 o'clock position.
But if you move the holster to 3o'clock position or 5 o'clock position that hardened curve could poke you very uncomfortably.

I purchased a Galco Kingtuk IWB for my M&P9C and until I feel comfortable and depending on the way I dress that day I carry it in a little different position all the time.
I mean a flatter IWB holster gives you that flexibility.
If I wear any kind of jacket over my shirt I move my IWB to 3 or 3:30 position.
If I am just wearing a shirt then holster moves to 4 o"clock position.

But I agree, sometimes I wish there was a better fitting and comfortable IWB, especially for those of us not wearing size 30-32 blue jeans anymore.

 

[David Armstrong]

If you can get one, Law Concealement Systems holsters are extremely comfortable for most people. Personally I don't like Kydex or similar for IWB. A good leather holster on a proper belt should be just fine for IWB use.

 

[Lost Lake]

If you can get one, Law Concealement Systems holsters are extremely comfortable for most people. Personally I don't like Kydex or similar for IWB. A good leather holster on a proper belt should be just fine for IWB use.

Do you have a link to these guys? I see they lost their business in a fire a few years back and I have tried new links I have found online and get dead ends....

.

 

[CA Escapee]

In three (3) plus decades of CCW I have learned "less is more" re: IWB holsters. I have seen rigs that defy common sense. They seem to have more material volume than the gun they hold.

A simple "C" or "J" hook holster worn strong side circa 3-4 will work for most people, Just give it and your body time to adjust.

Be safe.

PS: If you're inclined to pack a Desert Eagle I cannot help.

I'd have to agree. I've found that the more real estate an IWB holster covers, (think King Tuk,) the larger your pants have to be. The only advantage I've found to a map sized IWB is that the loops/clips are spread far apart and the holster is less prone to rocking or tilting.

A Galco Triton or Summer Comfort style holster works for me.

Bill